Cape Vultures once soared in abundance across the skies of the Karoo, forming a vital part of the region’s natural heritage. Now, thanks to an ambitious collaboration between conservationists, farmers, and national parks, they may be on their way to reclaiming that legacy.
The Karoo Vulture Safe Zone, launched in 2019 through a partnership with the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), is a bold conservation initiative aiming to restore safe breeding and roosting areas for these endangered birds. Spanning a massive 23,000 square kilometres, the project covers three national parks and the Mountain Zebra Camdeboo Protected Environment—South Africa’s largest protected area. It is supported by SANParks, SANParks Honorary Rangers, and funded by the Rupert Nature Foundation, Cennergi, and the Charl van der Merwe Trust.
To date 95 dedicated farmers who have committed over 700,000 hectares of land as vulture-safe zones. These landowners have pledged to reduce threats to vultures by modifying farming practices. These include switching to non-toxic veterinary drugs, avoiding lead ammunition, and preventing bird drownings by covering reservoirs. Even simple steps, like reporting wildlife incidents linked to power lines, contribute significantly to reducing risk.
Rather than reintroducing vultures directly—a costly and uncertain endeavour—the focus has been on making the Karoo a safe, welcoming landscape for vultures to return naturally. With their wide-ranging habits, Cape Vultures can travel great distances in a single day. Studies and GPS tracking data of fledglings have shown an average maximum distance travelled per day to be well over 250km from their nests. This underscores the need for vast, interconnected conservation areas—including private farms, communal land, and national parks.
Often called nature’s clean-up crew, vultures play an essential role in maintaining healthy ecosystems by disposing of carrion and preventing the spread of disease. Protecting them helps conserve biodiversity on a broad scale, benefiting numerous other species across the Karoo’s unique semi-arid landscape.
The Karoo Vulture Safe Zone is more than a conservation project—it’s a community movement. For many farmers, it’s deeply personal. Memories of vultures wheeling overhead or nesting on nearby cliffs are woven into the fabric of Karoo life. Reviving these majestic birds is not only about restoring balance to nature but reconnecting with a rich cultural and environmental past.
Encouragingly, the project is already seeing success. There are more vulture sightings, signs of birds returning to historical roosts, and growing enthusiasm from farmers and residents alike. By working together, the initiative is bridging the gap between agriculture, tourism, and conservation—building a model for sustainable, shared stewardship of the land.
The ultimate goal is clear: to see Cape Vultures once again thriving in the skies over the Karoo. Through science-based strategies, strong partnerships, and community-driven conservation, that dream is becoming a reality.
Want to get involved or learn more?
Contact Karoo Vulture Safe Zone Field Officer Danielle du Toit at danielled@ewt.org or Gareth Tate, Birds of Prey Manager, at garetht@ewt.org.
